Powerhouse: Legend of the Archwave

Chapter 11 (Intermission): Dining & Dating

We last read Chapter 10, in which James Markovsky a.k.a. Powerhouse expresses his approval and interest for Isabela Acosta a.k.a. Archwave's telenovela recommendations, with them briefly discussing their most recently-watched series for a little while before James asks Isabela whether or not she feels well enough to train following her MP5 gunshot wound. After Isabela responds in the affirmative, James leads her into the Markovsky Residence's backyard to start her training.

After James throws a bunch of random junk out of the backyard shed in a rather comedic sequence—which also involves Isabela almost getting blown up by a lit stick of dynamite—James eventually retrieves at least five stacks of throwing discs for Isabela to use as makeshift targets to hone her aim.....though it was likely already good enough as it was. James utilizes his super strength to chuck the throwing discs across Isabela's line of sight in various patterns, timings, and movements, but no matter what, Isabela lands perfect bullseyes every single time, greatly impressing James and momentarily making him think Isabela is enhanced in some way since her aim is practically on the level of The Viper, another one of the Paragons. However, he eventually realizes that she's simply just that good, which only impresses him further.

For the second half of the pair's training session, James instead teaches Isabela the basics of hand-to-hand combat, just in case she ever finds herself in a situation where she loses her bow or is forced to confront an enemy at close range. He teaches her jabs, straights, uppercuts, hooks, swaying, ducks, weaves, and potent combos.....and to his amazement, Isabela proves to be quite a fast learner.

The chapter then ended with James and Isabela relaxing on separate chairs on an elevated wooden platform in the Markovsky Residence's backyard, with a lit campfire before them. Isabela questions James as to their upcoming meeting with the Spraywatch vandal gang at their Hub, and asks whether or not he trusts them. James not only brings up his rather quick trust of Isabela in return, but also concedes that one Spraywatch member—Valentina Valdez—genuinely had a valid point about hate and hostility being bred as a result of sides never wanting to compromise or listen to each other. He resolves to continue with the meeting as planned, voicing his faith that he'll remain safe since his new partner is with him.....words that shake Isabela to her core and touch her heart. After the duo officially seal their partnership, they leave the vicinity of the campfire and retreat back into the Markovsky Residence house in order to have dinner.

This time, James and Isabela talk over dinner shortly before their departure for the Spraywatch Hub, and Susan Markovsky and Elise Fornwright go through a similar process sometime after the superhero duo leaves.....

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That evening—before their departure for their meeting with the Spraywatch gang at their Hub—James Markovsky a.k.a. Powerhouse and his new partner Isabela Acosta a.k.a. Archwave sat across from each other at the Markovsky Residence's dining nook; the same place where they had initially eaten breakfast together with Susan Markovsky and Elise Fornwright at the beginning of the day.

Their dinner was simple and quick, but also healthy; after all, James wanted him and Isabela on the road to the Spraywatch Hub as soon as possible. It consisted of two Hormel Compleats bowls, with James having macaroni and cheese while Isabela had rice and chicken. Both of them used plastic forks and spoons, and they also had bottles of water near them so they could wash the food down, though James was capable of making brief trips to the kitchen to get more water bottles if they were needed.

"So.....what are meals like where you're from?" James asked sincerely and curiously. "From what I've heard from you so far, something tells me that warm and welcome family dinners aren't particularly that common."